Iran Nuclear Deal: EU Chief Derides President Trump

Unic Press UK: European Council President, Donald Tusk, flayed the United States President Donald Trump over his administration’s decision to unilaterally exit the Iran Nuclear Deal – Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In his remarks Wednesday ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit and the Leaders’ agenda dinner, Tusk canvassed a united front among the European countries in the face of fresh U.S. policies on trade and the Iran Nuclear Deal.

“Following last week’s announcement of the United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, we need a united European front. I want leaders to reconfirm that the EU sticks to the deal as long as Iran does. We will also look at options for the EU to protect European companies from negative consequences of the US decision. We will decide on the best way forward in EU-US trade relations. And my objective is simple: we stick to our guns. This means a permanent exemption from US tariffs on aluminium and steel if we are to discuss possible trade liberalisation with the US… therefore US tariffs cannot be justified on the basis of national security.” (EU/Tusk: 16 May 2018)

Looking at latest decisions of @realDonaldTrump someone could even think: with friends like that who needs enemies. But frankly, EU should be grateful. Thanks to him we got rid of all illusions. We realise that if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm.

It was on May 8, 2018 that the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was inked in 2015 by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European Union and the P5+1 countries – China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Deal) was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations via UN Security Council resolution 2231. And the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that is mandated to monitor Iran’s compliance on the deal has repeatedly confirmed the Islamic country’s commitment and adherence.

The U.S. is also working on steel and aluminum tariffs for key allies, aiming to restrain imports, protect its national security, and so on. This is another hot potato given EU resistance.